• Hope: There is a way to make this better. I don’t know exactly what that is right now, but I’m optimistic that I’ll find the solution.

• Enthusiasm: Okay, I’m ready! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!

What do you do with all that feeling? First, enjoy it. Share your elation with a friend. Revel in your relief. Let your hope seep deep inside you. Then, get a handle on your enthusiasm.

Getting unstuck takes time (so does getting stuck, we’re just less aware of it). While we love a gung-ho attitude, it can lead to blue-sky expectations. And if those expectations aren’t met (I’m going to exercise every day and lose 10 pounds in two weeks), disappointment could send you right back to your stuck state. And nobody wants that.

Give yourself time. If possible, try not to set a deadline for getting unstuck. This will take away the stress of high expectations.

Next, consider what you can do now and what you can do later. For actions you can take now, break them down into smaller tasks and then dig in. With each step you undertake, you’ll feel your momentum build while your enthusiasm remains steady. And that can fuel you all the way to unstuck.